Statement by Shri Randeep Singh Surjewala: The anti-people and ill-conceived plan of the Modi Government to abdicate its responsibility from providing assistance& compensation to families of the victims of COVID-19 has today been exposed and debunked by the Supreme Court Judgement.

This is a vindication of the Congress Party’s stance and the demand raised by Shri Rahul Gandhi, for the creation of a “COVID Compensation Fund” and grant of Rs. 10 Lakh to every COVID-19 victim by the Central Government by transferring 10% of the annual ‘Fuel Loot’ of Rs. 4 Lakh Crore being collected by the Government of India. The sinister attempt of the Modi Government to choke and dilute the Congress/UPA enacted legislation, i.e. The Disaster Management Act 2005, with a view to deny compensation to the families of the Victims of COVID-19 has also been decisively rejected by the Court.

The Malice &Mal-intent Of The Modi Govt. to Deny Compensation Unmasked For a Government elected by the People of India, the Modi Government’s response, affidavit and arguments to deny compensation to families of COVID-19 victims is utterly shameful; reflecting their inhumane approach and patent malice and mal-intent.

· On 19.06.2021, the Modi Government filed an Affidavit attempting to exclude “COVID-19” as a ‘disaster’ altogether by stating that the scheme for providing compensation to the victims of a disaster does not apply to COVID on account of its scale and impact (Para 51 & 52 of the Modi Government’s Affidavit). In Paragraph 53, page 51 of the Modi Government’s Affidavit, they have shockingly stated a scarcity of resources with the Centre and States as a reason for non-payment of Compensation to families of COVID-19 Victims. · Modi Government went to the extent of telling the Supreme Court that the Ex-gratia payment is to be made only for the 12 notified disasters and that COVID-19 is not included therein (Para 6.18 of the SC Judgement). · The Modi Government then proceeded to tell the Supreme Court that NDMA, headed by the Prime Minister, has not drafted a policy or guidelines of an insurance mechanism to pay for disaster related deaths due to COVID-19 (Para 6.19.1 of the SC Judgement). · The worse was the sinister attempt by the Modi Government to dilute The Disaster Management Act 2005, by stating that the mandatory provision of providing compensation, as laid out in Section 12 of the Act should be considered as Optional by reading down the word “shall” as “may” in Section 12 of the Act (Para 6.21 of Judgement). PM Modi Reminded Of ‘Raj Dharma’ As the Head Of NDMA Prime Minister, as the Head of the NDMA as also by virtue of the Office he holds, was obligated to show compassion and consideration towards the families of those who lost loved ones to COVID-19. Sadly, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi again failed the nation.

The Supreme Court had to issue a direction to the NDMA, headed by the PM, to frame guidelines to grant compensation to the families of COVID-19 victims after debunking the stance of the Government of India for diluting the Disaster Management Act, 2005. (Para 10.1 of Judgement).

This calls for serious introspection on part of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, about his role and responsibility as Head of the Nation as also his abject and total failure in protecting lives.

We, the Indian National Congress, demand that the Prime Minister and the Modi Government should wake up from their indifference and slumber to the unfolding human tragedy, which could have been largely prevented but for the criminal mismanagement and successive failures of the Modi Government.

The Prime Minister should immediately announce a “COVID Compensation Fund” with relief of Rs. 10 Lakhs to the families of the victims of COVID-19. The Government should also announce concrete steps to tackle the imminent third wave of COVID-19. As demanded successively by the Congress and other Opposition Parties, Modi Government should lay down realistic targets and ensure vaccination in Mission mode instead of repeatedly trying to use vaccinations as an image or branding exercise. This is the only way to fight COVID-19 and to heal those who have suffered.

Wednesday, June 30, 2021